Guernsey nurses negotiate better pay deal

Guernsey Health and Social Services Department nurses have accepted a 2% pay increase - to be backdated to 1 April 2013.

Kenny Lloyd, Royal College of Nursing Guernsey chair, said: "We would have liked more but we feel that this is the best outcome which could be achieved."

Nurses can expect a 2.1% pay increase for 2013-14 and a 2% rise for 2014-15.

The negotiations over pay on the island had run alongside discussions over nursing pay in the UK.

Mr Lloyd said: "I know it has been frustrating that this issue had not been resolved more swiftly.

"The States of Guernsey faces a number of challenges in addressing the nursing shortage, and pay is only one of the issues.

"The RCN, along with the other unions, continue to seek a better pension offer than the one currently being made to public sector workers, and further meetings are planned towards the end of February."